United Arab Emirates

Dubai is a weird mixture of western and arabic, rich and poor, liberal and religious. It kind of hit me when I was walking through the + world’s biggest mall” - a huge, luxurious shopping centre and suddenly the traditional prayer call sounded loudly from all the speakers. There was a mosque behind our hotel as well, the morning prayer served as a wake up call quite often.

In the mornings and late afternoons, walking in the city centre it was like Wall Street, suited men and women rushing to or off work, talking on their phones planning business, at nights people going out to party, yet in a taxi a driver wearing a long white robe talks about his three wives and 6 children like it’s the most common thing, which it is, there. There are also separate taxis for women and separate passenger carriages in metro for women. It’s not obligatory to use it, but possible.

From a financial viewpoint it would be quite amazing to be a citizen in UAE (which only around 16 % of their population are): free healthcare, free education, free land from government, preferential treatment when it comes to public sector jobs, grants etc. Non-citizens pay for all and at least in Abu Dhabi and Dubai it’s not cheap.

Apart from the cost of living, there is said to be more than 200 nationalities successfully co-existing in the UAE. If the multi-kulti works there, could it work in Europe? It is important for people to interact with ones from different cultures and backgrounds, and respect them during that.

What is the most unbelievable about the UAE to my mind, is that today's wealthy, modern locals can listen to their grandparents stories about living in beduin tents in a desert without all the luxury, technology and what now are called basic needs. In the 1950’s with the beginning of 'oil era’ a massive construction program: building schools, housing, hospitals and roads started. “Prior to the introduction of electricity in 1952, kerosene lamps or candles were used for lighting and charcoal, imported from the interior of Oman, was used for cooking and making coffee. Sweet water came from wells around Dubai.”

Some say Dubai is an experiment, it might be, but it is exciting and oh-so worth a visit!

The entertainment they offered to guests in restaurants and such was definitely entertaining (I laughed in tears thanks to that "horse"), but the sense of humour was, to say the least, questionable!

On top of Burj Khalifa. At over 828 metres and more than 160 stories, Burj Khalifa holds the following records: tallest building in the world, tallest free-standing structure in the world, highest number of stories in the world, highest occupied floor in the world, highest outdoor observation deck in the world, elevator with the longest travel distance in the world, tallest service elevator in the world. (Everything really seemed small from there). Next to all that, it has a high symbolic value: "More than just the world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa is an unprecedented example of international cooperation, symbolic beacon of progress, and an emblem of the new, dynamic and prosperous Middle East. It is also tangible proof of Dubai's growing role in a changing world. In fewer than 30 years, this city has transformed itself from a regional centre to a global one. This success was not based on oil reserves, but on reserves of human talent, ingenuity and initiative. Burj Khalifa embodies that vision."

And at night:

Las Vegas-like melodramatic overly emotional fountain show at night!

Burj Al Arab - the "7-star" hotel and the symbol of modern Dubai, repeatedly voted as the world's most luxurious hotel. As it is connected to the mainland by a slender, gently curving causeway, the guests are driven there by either a Rolls Royce or by a helicopter.

Next to it there's a lovely public beach to enjoy the view and the beautiful sea that made us so so happy every day!

Everything cold and fresh was a mandatory energiser in the 40-degree desert-heat, which the locals thought as already a considerably cooler weather.

The malls are on every corner, one bigger and more luxurious than another.

Dubai Marina (an artificial canal city, built along 3 km stretch of Persian Gulf shoreline, has a perfect track for a romantic walk or also for a sunset run, for example)

Different, yet equally beautiful at night, when also completely filled with nightlife.

Desert Safari

Stylish safarians.

Oman - went only to Musandam Peninsula area which was absolutely beautiful. A carefree day spent on a boat and on small quite deserted straps of sands, exploring old caves, without any salesmen, mobile-networks or anything was exactly what was needed. Oman is definitely on my travel-to list now.